Nick Coit’s Patriots Preview: Cleveland Browns, Week 8

Coming off their Monday night shellacking of the Jets, the Patriots are operating on a short week this week. They'll face the 2-4 Cleveland Browns Sunday afternoon in Foxboro for the late game.

How will they do? We spoke with ABC 6 Sports Director Nick Coit, who gave us his thoughts about the upcoming game.

Nick, along with anyone else who follows the game of football, continues to be impressed by the weekly performance of the Patriots defense.

"Right now, they are on pace to not only break the record for points allowed in a season, but to shatter it," said Coit. "The record for fewest points allowed in the season is held by the 2000 Ravens (who ended up winning a Super Bowl), and I think it was 141 points...and so far, the Pats defense through seven games has given up 27 points. So, let's say they give up 3-7 points this weekend, that's on pace for 60, maybe 70 points."

However, Nick quickly pointed out how the Patriots are about to get into the meat of the schedule.

So what does Nick think about Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield?

"He's young and he turns the ball over a lot," Coit said. "Judging from Monday night, that's not exactly a great combo when facing this Patriots defense. But when you're Baker Mayfield and you have targets like Odell Beckham, Jr. and Jarvis Landrey and other guys, they are capable of making the home run play, so the Pats defense has to limit that."

While it's too bad Josh Gordon is not going to be a part of this Patriots team for the rest of this season, Nick was excited to see Mohamed Sanu traded from the Falcons to the Patriots.

"He's a solid receiver," said Coit.

Nick is expecting another Patriots win and for the Pats to go to 8-0.

NICK'S PICK: Patriots 35, Cleveland 17.